Decisions regarding computer software and hardware and networking companies are critically important for small businesses.

Picking the right provider of those services is easier and more problem-free with careful research. Many companies turn to consultants for expert advice and guidance, bizjournals.com reported.

A consultant is able to independently evaluate the many possibilities, addressing such issues as the effects of rapidly changing technology, installation of all products and how to make sure the company can utilize the full capabilities of the technology it purchases.

As a result, "people no longer look for hardware and software; they look for solutions. Consultants are the glue that integrates technology and give the computer user the benefits of the technology they've purchased," according to the Independent Computer Consultants Association.

The failure or success of any particular system is often more related to the human element than to the actual equipment components, said Steven Epner, founder and past president of the association, a St. Louis-based trade group that represents the interests of member firms, maintains ethical conduct standards for the profession and offers a consultant search feature on its website, www.icca.org.

"There are mediocre systems that succeed and excellent systems that fail," Epner said.

It's important to remember that software, hardware and networking systems are complex and, as a result, there are no perfect answers as to what to pick. There are also many parts to the process, so companies may need assistance with employee training and other needs beyond the initial purchase.

"It helps to make sure that as large a group as possible has input into the selection process," Epner said. If one individual makes the decision, that person is on the hook if the outcome is less than stellar.

Independent computer consults have one goal: to help a client company narrow the possible choices to the point that any of the top picks will help the company succeed in its mission, Epner said.

It's also important for the company to act on a decision in a timely manner.

"Any decision process that is more than six months in length will probably be wrong, because things are changing rapidly," Epner said. The change is occurring not just in software, hardware or networking products, but also in the distribution and manufacturing processes of that equipment.

"It's important to compare major vendors and distributors," he said.

On the software side, other factors come into play when making a decision about which products to use.

Software piracy is a growing problem and tools are now available for tracking and combating piracy, according to the Software & Information Industry Association, a trade association based in Washington, D.C., that urges companies to make sure they have enough software licenses to cover the number of software programs installed on company computers. The group handles issues related to code and content in the industry and has conducted a successful corporate anti-piracy program for its software company members for nearly 20 years.

Companies should always go with reputable vendors with choosing computer software and hardware. Not doing so can prove costly.

"If you go on the Internet and look for a good deal, you might find one that appears to be too good to be true," said John Wolfe, director of Internet enforcement for the Business Software Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents the interests of the commercial software industry and the hardware companies that partner with them. The group also promotes copyright protection, cyber security and other related issues.

When purchasing software, companies should be mindful of several points, Wolfe said.

The company should know the source of the software and who will stand behind it. Software sold without the proper labeling and packaging also will lack the codes needed to activate it or to access technical support after the sale, he added.

Choosing a reputable software vendor will help the company assure that the software doesn't come with potential problems such as viruses and spyware.

"It can be a real risk," Wolfe said, adding that a company chief executive officer may not be fully aware of the risks that come with such a decision, but often a quick consultation with an internal information technology department or a consultant will turn up some strong cautionary advice.

A bad decision has several possible ramifications, Wolfe said. The software may not work correctly and the problem may not be fixable. In some cases, the company's only long-term solution may be costly as the company may be forced to buy replacement software.